German police raid prostitution ring, 100 held

In the biggest single operation in the history of German police, more than 1,500 officers of German police have carried out nation-wide raids against members of a suspected illegal prostitution ring on Wednesday.

A police spokesperson confirmed media reports that seven arrest warrants were successfully delivered and that over 100 individuals were temporarily taken into custody.

German interior minister and Christian Social Union (CSU) leader Horst Seehofer described the raids as an unprecedented strike against a "network with nation-wide branches."

The raids began early on Wednesday morning (CET) and have so far been carried out in twelve federal states. Security officers searched more than 60 housing- and business premises which are believed to be connected to an international criminal syndicate operating in the German red-light industry.

According to police, the senior leadership of the prostitution ring is made up by between 15 and 20 individuals with German and Thai nationality. Several suspects were arrested in brothels and massage parlors and are believed by investigators to have resided in Germany illegally.

A 59-year-old Thai woman and a 62-year-old German man are considered to be the primary suspects in building the illicit and highly-profitable network in Germany which trafficked Thai women and transsexuals in order to let them work as prostitutes.

Evidence encountered by investigators suggests that the 59-year-old woman and 62-year-old man were able to personally earn a 7-digit figure through their criminal activity

A police spokesperson noted that special forces did not encounter any resistance when they arrested the German-Thai couple. "The mission was concluded without any incidents," the spokesperson told press.

The two ring-leaders have been formally charged with human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

"Many hundreds of men and women were subjected to the inhumane and limitless greed of traffickers over the course of years and across national boundaries," a statement by interior minister Seehofer read.